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Wellington Colorado Pet Sitters

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Wellington Colorado Pet Sitters

Are you looking for a pet sitter in Wellington? With the tremendous growth that Wellington, Colorado has seen these past few years, the need for qualified and trained pet sitters in this northern Colorado town has grown tremendously.

Owning a pet is a great responsibility and part of that responsibility is choosing the right person to look after your pet when you’re away. In fact, the right pet sitter can make all the difference – not only to the happiness of your animal, but also in terms of their health and well-being. That’s why Wet Noses Pet Sitting has brought their expert pet sitting services to the Wellington Area!  Now you northern Colorado pet parents can confidently hire experienced, trained, and CPR certified pet sitters!  All of our Wet Noses pet sitters are bonded, insured and trained to provide you with outstanding and compassionate care for all of your pets.

Pet Sitters in Wellington

Wet Noses Pet Sitting – (970) 980-1325

  • Cats, Dogs, Birds (including Chickens), Pocket Pets (Hamsters, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, etc.), and some Livestock
  • Bonded & Insured
  • CPR Certified Pet Sitters
  • (In Progress) Certified Fear Free Training

For certain times of the year, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, Wet Noses Pet Sitting’s schedule fills up fast. We never want your pet to go without care while you’re away. That’s why if we are unavailable we want you to be aware of other pet sitters in Wellington such as Hustin’ Hounds and Paws At Home.

Why should I hire a professional pet sitter?

There are many reasons to consider hiring a professional pet sitter instead of having a friend or family member take care of your pets while you’re away. Here are a few:

  • You can be confident that your pet will be safe and in good care.
  • You can be sure that your pet will be getting the best possible care.
  • You can get advice on pet care from a professional.
  • If something unexpected comes up, the company has a backup plan in place.

Hiring a professional pet sitter can give you peace of mind when you’re away from home. You can be sure that your pet is being cared for by a qualified professional, and you won’t have to worry about any surprise accidents or emergencies. Plus, a professional pet sitter will come to your home every day, no matter the weather conditions. This will ensure that your pet receives the same level of care every time.

Fun Facts About Wellington, Colorado

Here is a fun fact about this growing area.  A few years ago, while constructing a housing development at the north end of town, a woolly mammoth skeleton was uncovered!  Even though the tusks of the mammoth did not survive the move the skull did and it is now housed at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

The development was completed, and the developer named one of the streets Mammoth Circle to commemorate the discovery!

Wellington is a terrific small town with a wonderful, paved trail system that connects the town and the different neighborhoods on either side of it.  You can even take a tunnel under I-25 to the east side where you’ll find two small ponds to relax by.  Along these smooth paths are wide lush grassy places, providing miles of fun for you and your dog.

There is also a pond, that is a fenced leash free area connected to Wellington Park on the north side of town, and it provides a fun way for dogs to cool off after their walk.

Conclusion

Take a few moments to look around the Wet Noses website and discover the endless opportunities to enrich your pets lives through visits, walks and play time with an experienced caring individual. Then go ahead and schedule your next vacation knowing that your furry family members will be cared for in your home and having the time of their lives while you enjoy yours!

Wet Noses Pet Sitting is thrilled to be available in your area and look forward to enhancing your pets’ lives!

When Should you Book your Pet Sitter?_Header

When Should you Book your Pet Sitter?

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When Should you Book your Pet Sitter?_Header

When it comes to booking a pet sitter, booking early is always better. At Wet Noses Pet Sitting, we try to accommodate all visit requests but sometimes our sitters are already fully booked. Until our sitters figure out how to be in two places at once, we recommend booking your pet sitter when you book your trip.

Why should I book my pet sitter early?

Booking your pet sitter early ensures we are able to match you with a pet sitter for the dates and times requested. The closer to your dates the less likely we’ll be able to fit you in our schedule.

This is especially true for major holidays.

  • Fourth of July
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas
  • New Years

We take care of pets 365 days a year but some major holidays are busier than others. Booking early to secure your spot for these major holidays is important. Overnights tend to fill up the fastest as they are the most in demand. We are limited on how many overnights we can offer based on the number of sitters we have.

What happens if my trip changes?

Reach out! We have a generous cancellation policy in place and we can adjust your pet sitters schedule as needed.

What if I need a last-minute pet sitter?

We understand emergencies come up that you cannot prepare to be out of town for. If our pet sitters are available we may be able to fit you into our schedule. If we are fully booked, we recommend calling your second or third choice for a professional pet sitter.

When a pet sitter coming to your home isn’t an option, boarding facilities should be considered. Many offer spacious rooms (and condos for cats), outdoor activities, and plenty of play time. Some vets also offer boarding but vets typically do not offer all the extra amenities a dedicated boarding facility offers. You may also have to pay a higher rate for booking on such short notice.

Wet Noses Pet Sitting is based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. We have a small list of places in the area were you can board your animals:

When all else fails, if you cannot find a professional pet sitter and boarding facilities are full try asking friends, family, or even your neighbor. You should never leave your pet unattended for an extended period of time.

Why do I even need a professional pet sitter?

Having a pet sitter come to your home helps reduce your pets stress while you’re away. This is because your pets are in a familiar environment. With familiar smells, sounds, and sights.

All of our pet sitters are bonded and insured. That means – if an accident happens you’re covered!

You won’t have to worry about last-minute cancellations. Friends and family can be unreliable. By hiring a professional pet sitter you’re guaranteed coverage even if something comes up on our end.

Having somebody come to your home while you’re away can help keep your home safe. Empty houses are targets for robberies. Regular activity shows that the house isn’t empty and that somebody will notice if something is off.

Conclusion

Booking your pet sitter early ensures we’re able to fit you into our schedule. If we cannot, we recommend calling your second and third choice of professional pet sitters. Having somebody come to your home is ideal as it keeps pets in a familiar environment, no last-minute cancellations, and adds an extra level of safety to your home while you’re away. If this is not possible, we recommend checking out boarding facilities in your area or contacting friends or family as your pet should never be left unattended for an extended period of time.

Related Blogs

What to do with your Dog When You Work All Day?_Header

What to do with your Dog When You Work All Day?

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What to do with your Dog When You Work All Day?_Header

If you’re like thousands of people you may have adopted a pet when you were working from home. But now you’re going back to the office or you’ve found a new job that isn’t remote. No longer can you provide those daily walks and potty-breaks during the day. Worst of all? Your pet will be alone for a longer period of time.

Are still working remote but can’t have your dog with you in your office? What do you do with your dog when you work all day?

Know the Best Place for your Dog

Not every dog does well when allowed to roam the house freely when you’re gone. When you’re having to leave the house for work, knowing the best place in the house for your dog is important. Keep safety and comfort in mind when picking a place. Each dog is different and may prefer different levels of range. This could be: a crate, a gated off section of your house, a single room, or being allowed to freely roam. The CCSPCA goes more in depth on how to determine which option is best for your dog.

Whatever option you pick, make sure your dog has a cozy area. Bonus points if you can make this area smell like you with blankets or t-shirts you have used.

Buy Interactive Puzzle Toys

Interactive puzzle toys are a great way to keep your pet busy during meetings. Not only are puzzles toys fun they also stimulate your pet mentally. Your dog will be spending time figuring out the puzzle instead of wondering where you are.

Not sure which puzzle toy to get? Try out a few! Puzzle toys come in difficulty levels. Ranging from very easy to highly complex. You don’t want to buy a toy that is too easy. If a toy is too easy it won’t take your dog long to figure it out. If a toy is too hard your dog might give up on it.

As with any new toy, supervise your dog before leaving them alone with a toy.

Leave the TV/Radio On

Some dogs like when the TV/radio is left on. Others can’t stand it. For those that enjoy the noise it can provide comfort. Do some tests before you leave for an extended period of time to see how your dog reacts.

Did you know? Research has shown dogs prefer reggae and soft rock to other music genres. There’s even playlists curated for dogs.

Keep a Window Open

Dogs LOVE to smell things and outside has a bunch of wonderful smells. Keeping a window open that your dog can look out of and sniff the air can keep them occupied for hours. Bird feeders are more common to keep outside windows for cats but dogs can also enjoy them. The sounds, smells, and watching them move is all very exciting.

This might not be ideal if your dog likes to bark at everything or if you are going to be leaving the house. Not a fan of keeping a window open? Keep some curtains open so your dog can still see outside.

Hire a Dog Walker

If you’re considering a dog walker or somebody to pop in for potty-breaks you’ve come to the right place.

Your dog may never have known a life without you around or only leaving to run errands.. Hiring a dog walker can also be a good way to help transition your pet into a lifestyle where you’re not around 24/7. They still get the exercise they need and socialization but without your presence.

At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we individually customize each plan. Your dog will experience minimal disruptions in their routine. Having and keeping a routine has been shown to decrease stress in dogs.

Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep? Header

Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep?

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Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep? Header

Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep?

One of the most common questions we get asked is “Where does a pet sitter sleep overnight?” And the answer might shock you:

Anywhere you give them the okay to sleep!

Some of the most common places our pet sitters sleep are:

  • Guest bedrooms
  • Master bedrooms
  • (Comfy) couches

Our sitters do enjoy when clients have freshly washed any bedding as it helps them settle in. Your pet sitter will often bring their own pillow and blanket to sleep with and to lay on top of any bedding already on the bed or place on a comfy couch. When it comes to picking a place for your pet sitter to sleep we recommend picking a place that your pets are used to sleeping. If your pets sleep in the master bedroom with you we recommend your pet sitter sleeping in the master bedroom. If you’re not comfortable with that, a guest bedroom or a preferably comfy couch is another great option.

Don’t have a guest bedroom or you don’t want your sitter sleeping on the couch? No problem. Air mattresses, roll-out beds, and futons are also options!

 

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How to Find a Pet Sitter You Will Love!

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When you are traveling you want peace of mind and that means you need to find a pet sitter that will take amazing care of your pets. A professional pet sitter will be bonded and insured, an expert in animal care, have an emergency plans in place and screen and train their sitters. So how do you find a pet sitter that is going to meet all of your expectations?

Ask Friends

Ask around with friends and family and see who has used a Professional Pet Sitter. They will be able to provide first-hand knowledge of the experience and give you a referral. You can ask your wider friend base by posting on social media for referrals in your area.

Ask Veterinarians and Groomers

If you have a regular veterinarian, groomer, dog trainer, or any animal professional you are working with, ask them for a referral. Chances are they know the Professional Pet Sitters in town and can help you find a pet sitter that would be a good match specifically for your pets, since they already know them.

Search National Pet Sitting Groups

There are a few major pet sitting groups, the largest two being the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. Not all pet sitters belong to these groups, but they can be a good place to find a pet sitter if you are not sure where to start.

Find a Pet Sitter on Nextdoor

Nextdoor is still a relatively new program, but in it you can talk to neighbors in your direct area. It is being used for all sorts of information exchange, including referrals for pet sitters. When you are asking around, be sure to indicate you are looking for a Professional Pet Sitter, not a neighbor’s kid. The advantage of Nextdoor is that many pet sitters only work in specific areas so if you live in an area with few pet sitters then Nextdoor can help you find a pet sitter that is willing and able to come to your neighborhood, since they already did for your neighbor.

Cat how to find a pet sitter

Find a Pet Sitter on Google

It is nice to use a reference to find a pet sitter, but if you are struggling you can always go for the nice old-fashioned web search. When you do this you will find a lot of tech companies like Wag and Rover, so just scan past those to find a pet sitter that is local and a professional company.

Pick One!

Once you have gotten some referrals or found companies online, you have to pick a pet sitter. Not all pet sitters are created equal so make sure your sitter is bonded and insured, supervises and trains their sitters and has back up in case of an emergency. If you are in our area then learn more about our pet sitting services!

Download Our Checklist for Hiring a Pet Sitter

 

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Where is the Closest Vet Clinic? 

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Earlier this week I was out the dog park with my dog Podrick, enjoying the nice weather.  There was only one other dog at the park, a puppy that would run squealing whenever Podrick got close.  We moved to the other end of the park to give him some space and played on our own.  After a few minutes, the owner of the puppy came over to ask me a question, “Where is the closest vet clinic?”

Why is this such a terrible question?

This question indicates two things about the people:

  1. The person and the pet have never been to the vet before.Vet Clinic
  2. Something traumatic has happened recently and the animal should be getting immediate care.

After chatting for a few more minutes I discovered, to my horror, that the puppy had jumped out of his moving vehicle on the way to the park.  Normally the pup was outgoing, friendly and fearless, quite the difference from the puppy I saw before me.  I did a quick exam and encouraged the man to immediately take the pup to the emergency clinic.  Unfortunately, I had left before he made his final decision but I hope he made the right one! If you ever need a recommendation make sure to give us a call!

Getting a Cat – Complete Checklist for New Cat Owners

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Cats make wonderful companions and are great additions to any family. They are creatures of comfort, so if you’re a first-time cat owner, make sure to have all the essentials ready for them. Getting a new kitty is a big change for you and for your new friend. To help make this time easier for you, we’ve got the complete checklist of everything thing you need and need to know.

Download the Complete Preparing for a New Cat  Checklist

Important Considerations:

Lifestyle: While it’s true that cats don’t exactly need as much time as a new dog, but they still need love, attention and a stable family life. Ask yourself the following questions before jumping into adoption.

  • Do you or anyone in the house have allergies to cat hair, dander or dirt?
  • Do you have any other pets that may not take well to a new cat? If so, do you have a plan of introducing them to each other?
  • Who will be the primary caretaker?
  • Do you want a long hair or short hair breed? Long hair breeds will take more time for daily grooming and may have more hairballs.
  • Will work or social life affect your ability to properly care for them?
  • Does your residence allow pets and is your home suited for a new cat?
  • Would an older cat or younger cat better suit your lifestyle? Kittens take more time and have more energy, but older cats may need more veterinarian care.

Costs: You want to make sure that you can always care for your vet. The best way is to create a budget for a new cat before you bring them home.

  • Does your new pet need to be spayed or neutered?
  • Is there an adoption fee that needs to be paid?
  • Monthly expenses such as food, litter, pet sitting or new supplies
  • Licensing fees and rabies shots
  • Litter box and scoop
  • Routine veterinary care
  • Microchipping
  • Grooming Brush
  • Beds and toys

Shopping Checklist:

Once you’ve decided a new cat will fit well into your lifestyle and you can afford the cost of care, the next thing to do is hit the pet store to get them their supplies.

  • Age appropriate food
  • Water and food bowls
  • Collar
  • Leash
  • ID tags (make sure your phone number is on it)
  • Hard plastic cat carrier
  • Litter Box
  • Litter Scoop
  • Brush
  • Sponge and scrub brush for accidents and hairball clean up
  • Non-toxic cleaner
  • Toys (feathers on wands, catnip mouse, etc)
  • Blanket or bed
  • Cat toothbrush and toothpaste

There’s no doubt that cats add spunk and tons of joy to any home. They may seem aloof, but in reality, they are just as caring as they are smart. A peaceful home full of warmth and love is a perfect place for a new feline friend.

Download the Complete Preparing for a New Cat  Checklist

8 Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Pet Sitter

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Your vacation is planned, your pet sitting appointment is booked, you are all packed, now what?  There are few steps you can take to make life much easier for your pet sitter by preparing your home for a pet sitter.

Wet Noses’ Top 8 Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Pet Sitter

1)   Secure your home.

Make sure all of your doors, windows, and gates are locked.

2)  Put all of your pet supplies in a central location.

We don’t mind going into a cabinet or two but try not to send your sitter digging through 3 rooms two find the supplies they need.

3)  Make sure all medication is in a cabinet out of animal reach.

Your pup may be great normally but when he is left alone for a couple days in a row he might go exploring.

4)  Verify that all of your information for your pet sitter is correct.

At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we use an online system that should be updated regularly, but whatever system your sitter uses should be updated.  This should include all of your pet’s care details, house information, plant watering, emergency contacts, garage code and the alarm code.

pet sitter

 

5) Update your information

Make sure your sitter has updated information to contact you in case of an emergency.  If you will not be reachable via your regular phone leave the information for your travel plans, hotel numbers, travel agent, etc.

6) Think about where you want your pet to have access

Close off any rooms you do not want your pets to have access to while you are gone.  Also, change lights and blinds in those rooms to the way you want them to stay.  If you want them changed to be sure to leave that information for your sitter.

7)  Get extra supplies!

Inevitably if you only leave enough food for your trip then you will be delayed by weather.  Supply your home as if will be gone a few days longer than you are planning. In case you’re delayed you’re pet will plenty of supplies.

8) Leave your pet sitter any important notes

If there are any favorite hiding spots for your cat, underlying illnesses for your dog, toilets that leak or doors that stick, let your sitter know!  Think of the unusual parts of your home and your pets and assume your sitter will run into the same problem.

Now that you’ve finished preparing your home for a pet sitter, you can relax and enjoy your trip!  Nothing makes a pet sitter happier than to know you had a great time away while they enjoyed spending time with your fur kids.

Download a Printable Checklist

How to Safely Take Your Dog to Work

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Did you know that June 26th is Pet Sitters International’s 17th annual Take Your Dog to Work DayⓇ? It’s a special day of the year where businesses around the world will let you bring your dog to work. You get to bring your special furry friend to work to celebrate the wonderful relationship humans have with dogs and to promote pet adoption.

After all, dogs do make some of the best companions and bringing them with you on a regular day on the job is tons of fun. However, there are a few things to check on to make sure the day is still productive, as well as peaceful.

Go over this checklist before packing up your dog for a day at the office.

1. Check with your office:  Some offices don’t allow dogs no matter what the day is, so check with your boss beforehand.

2. Make sure your dog is fit for socializing: Make sure your dog’s shots are current and that they are feeling well. Even friendly dog’s can be aggressive if they’re sick.

3. Puppy-proof your work area: Remove poisonous plants, toxic chemical and hide electrical cords. Also, put away any office items that could get chewed up or swallowed.

4. Plan breaks and lunch according to your work schedule: Make sure to plan potty break and feeding in between any pressing matters such as phone conferences or meetings.

5. Pack them a lunch and goodie bag: Don’t forget to bring a doggie bag for Fido! Pack up food, treats, bowls, toys, leash and clean up items.

6. Don’t force interactions: Even if your dog is extremely friendly, don’t force him to interact with co-worker’s. Some people aren’t dog people (strange, but true!) and also the office can be an intimidating space for your dog.

7. Have a backup plan: Hope for the best and plan for the worst. Make sure you’d be able to leave to take them home if they start to get overly active or upset.

 

Take Your Dog to Work Day is a fun time to let your dog in on what goes on when you leave for the day. Instead of being like Max on Secret Life of Pets, waiting and wondering all day while his owner is gone, they’ll know where you go!

 

If you prefer to listen, we also recorded a Podcast on the subject!

Is There a Charge to Meet My Pet Sitter?

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When you are getting started with a new professional pet sitting company, you want to be sure you are comfortable with the person who will be working in your home. We want you to be comfortable as well! When first getting started with Wet Noses Pet Sitting, we will answer all of your questions via phone and email. We work our hardest to make sure you understand the process of working with us, that we have an understanding of the care needed for your pets and that we have scheduled visits that are going to make your pets happy while you are gone.

Setting up your meeting

After we have set up your first appointment, we will pair you with a sitter whose schedule and experience matches your household. About a week before your first visit, your sitter will contact you to set up a meeting time. We intentionally have sitters meet with you just before you leave so that all of the details are fresh in their minds. In addition, there is a higher likelihood that your pets will remember your sitter if they have met recently. This helps to make your pets more comfortable with a new person coming into their home for the first time.

Charges

We believe this introductory meeting is necessary and there is no charge for the meeting! In the occasion that you need more than one meeting then we will charge for any additional meetings. This can happen if you have a dog that is particularly shy or uncomfortable with strangers.

Shy dogs

Unlike some professional pet sitting companies, we do accept dogs that sometimes need a little more care, and thus a few more meetings. How many meetings will depend upon you and your dog and we can discuss this before setting up your first meeting with your sitter.

Future sitters

We attempt to keep you with your same sitter whenever possible, but if you are with us long enough then you will eventually have a new sitter. Anytime we change sitters we will offer up a new meeting at no charge. On some occasions clients chose to forego these meetings, but that is up to you.

 

We feel it is vitally important for you to feel comfortable with your sitter and do not feel that your should pay for this meeting. We hope you will join our family soon!

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